Kafala Syste: For more than half a century, one word shaped the destiny of millions of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia: Kafala, Arabic for “sponsorship.” It wasn’t just a policy; it was a power structure.
Under it, a worker’s entire life including job, visa, and even the right to leave the country was fixed with their employer, or kafeel. Without the employer’s consent, they couldn’t change jobs or leave the country.
The system began in the 1950s, when Gulf nations needed cheap labour to build their booming economies but didn’t want to grant residency or citizenship. Over time, it became one of the most criticised labour systems in the world. Human rights groups compared it to “modern-day slavery,” as employers often confiscated passports, withheld pay, and used threats of deportation to maintain control.
Saudi Arabia, where around 13 million migrant workers which is nearly 42% of the population, support sectors like construction, domestic work, and agriculture, finally announced the abolition of Kafala in June 2025.
The move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, a plan to modernise the economy, attract global investors, and improve the kingdom’s human-rights record.
The new contract-based system promises key freedoms: workers can now change employers, travel freely without exit visas, and access labour courts and complaint mechanisms. Officials say these changes will boost productivity and fairness.
Still, rights groups warn that implementation will be crucial. Some employers continue to demand permission for job changes, and domestic workers remain among the least protected.
For millions from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines, this reform means more than paperwork, it’s the beginning of dignity, safety, and self-determination. The end of Kafala marks not just a legal shift, but a historic step toward equality in the Gulf’s labour landscape.
